Availability is the place to find current program openings and request referrals from that list. It’s designed for checking what spots are available and taking action directly there, so you can also see the referrals you’ve submitted for those openings. Other tabs focus on different aspects of the workflow—Pending shows referrals awaiting action, Openings may list openings but not in the context of submitting referrals, and Referrals centers on managing referrals rather than browsing available openings. Using Availability aligns with the practical workflow of finding a spot and sending a referral in one streamlined view.

Referrals to participating housing and shelter programs are handled through Coordinated Entry. This centralized process assesses individuals, determines housing needs and priorities, and connects them to programs that participate in Coordinated Entry based on availability and eligibility. The goal is to provide fair, efficient access to housing across the system by routing referrals through one coordinated channel. Other departments have important roles but not the referral workflow across the whole network: Housing Services typically focuses on housing search support and client services, Data Management concentrates on collecting and maintaining data and reporting, and Program Operations handles the administration of programs themselves. None of these centralize the referral process across all participating programs the way Coordinated Entry does.

When troubleshooting HMIS glitches, the first step should be to refresh the local browser environment. Clearing your browser cache, reloading the page, and logging back in targets common client-side problems caused by stale or corrupted cached files and cookies. This can reset the app’s state, fetch fresh resources from the server, and often resolves many display or login issues without changing any system configurations. If the issue persists after these steps, then more involved actions can be considered, such as updating HMIS to the latest version or seeking support. Reinstalling the operating system is far more drastic and usually unnecessary for HMIS problems, and contacting the HMIS team immediately without trying basic fixes can delay resolution.

Updates to HMIS are managed through a collaborative internal process led by the HMIS Team, with built-in checks to ensure accuracy. This means the team can guide and implement changes, and they can request a review whenever something needs verification before it goes live. That approach keeps updates happening efficiently while maintaining data quality, consistency, and proper documentation. Rebuilding everything or needing external approvals at every step would add unnecessary rigidity and delay, and external governance boards usually function as oversight rather than the gatekeepers for routine updates. Requiring approval from external regulatory bodies for ordinary updates isn’t practical for day-to-day improvement, and an external board’s involvement for every change would slow down the system without improving immediate accuracy. So the best approach is that the HMIS Team handles updates with internal support and can trigger a review to ensure accuracy, balancing timely improvements with data integrity and clear documentation.